National Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday warned the People's Alliance for Democracy ( PAD), dubbed Yellow-Shirt movement, to remain within the law if they will stage protests against constitution amendment.

The Yellow-Shirt could hold rallies as long as they are in line with the democracy and laws, English website Bangkok Post quoted the army chief as saying. Gen Prayuth told reporters before leaving for a five-day visit to China on Monday morning.

He also ruled out the possibility about clashes between protesters and authorities. However, people who violate the law would be prosecuted, he added.

Asked whether the army would intervene if clashes occur, Gen Prayuth said the army would not come out unless it received orders to do so.

The army chief also refused to give any comment on the government's move to amend the 2007 Constitution which was enacted during the military rule, saying he was only a state official.

The Pheu Thai-led government has so far pushed ahead with the charter revamp. On last Friday, Feb. 17, the joint parliamentary session of House of Representatives and Senate voted in support of three bills seeking to amend the Article 291 regarding Charter Drafting Assembly (CDA).

Pro-government Red-Shirts support the move while the pro- establishment Yellow-Shirts disagree as they see the move was mainly aimed at helping a particular individual. The Yellow-Shirt leaders announced last week to stage a rally against the government on March 10.